Admiral Dawson was truly a different spirit: Associates

Admiral Dawson next to his love – 1961 model Austin Cambridge. His close friend B.G. Koshi told The New Indian Express that the Admiral had often tough time in finding spares for the car, forcing him to go behind local mechanics to get them manufactured.
Photo Courtesy: Thelma Dawson

By Anantha Krishnan M

Bangalore: Friends, relatives, musicians, serving and retired armed forces officials and scientists went down memory lane capturing their fond memories and contributions made by their beloved sailor Admiral Dawson. They say his administration skills, vision, care for fellowmen, love for music and philanthropic deeds are characteristics that made Admiral Dawson truly a different spirit.

A visionary & inspiring leader: Navy | Commander-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, Kochi, Vice Admiral K.N. Sushil told The New Indian Express from Kochi that Dawson was an inspiring military leader and visionary helmsman for the Navy. “As he rest his oars, the Navy remembers him in gratitude for his great contributions to the growth of the Indian Navy. A lot of what we see in the Navy today was the result of his vision including the INA at Ezhimala,” Vice Admiral Sushil said.Former Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral (Retd) Ram Pream Suthan says that Admiral Dawson will be remembered for a long time for his uprightness. “He was a very straight officer, who pioneered in building the infrastructure for the Indian Navy. He had great leadership qualities,” Suthan said.

Simple man: Lamba | To Air Vice-Marshal (Retd) Ajit Lamba, former Commandment, Aircraft System Testing Establishment (ASTE), Bangalore, Admiral Dawson was a very simple. “He was a gentleman to the core and was a very talented officer. We will all miss him for a long time to come,” said Lamba, the father-figure for the flying fraternity said.

Man with a mission: MoD | “It is a great loss to India and the defence fraternity in particular with the demise of Admiral Dawson. He was a man with a great mission and always carried inspiring thoughts,” Sitanshu Kar, Ministry of Defence, Principal Spokesperson, New Delhi, told this paper, over the phone.

A great institution: Doctor | The doctors and nursing staff at the Command Hospital, Bangalore, say that Admiral Dawson was a great fighter even during his last days. “He was a legend and an institution himself with great integrity. He was a source of inspiration for all the men in uniform. His philanthropic deeds will be missed by many,” says Air Vice Marshal Anil Behl, Commandant, Command Hospital.

We will miss the musical nites: Friend | For Samual Samson, music teacher with the Cathedral School, Admiral Dawson was a father-figure. “He encouraged lots of musicians and even played along with them on his favourite Broadwood piano. The Admiral Dawson Rolling Trophy for achievers is a sought-after award at Royal School of Music in London. We will miss the evening parties,” says Samson.

(The Admiral's body was buried with military hours in Bangalore on Oct. 25. R.I.P.)

THE ADMIRAL DAWSON OBIT: Chief sets out on a last voyage orphaning friends, pianos & Austin Cambridge

MY WAY: Admiral Dawson entertained his guests and friends by playing his favourite songs My Way (Frank Sinatra) and Danny Boy (Jim Reeves). He had three pianos and a 1961 model Austin Cambridge as prized possessions. His sister Thelma Dawson (85) and close friends will now miss the Maestro's magic moments. R.I.P. Photo: Courtesy Thelma Dawson\B.G. Koshi

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: He missed his 87th birthday by a whisker. His friends and family were hoping to hear Admiral Dawson play Frank Sinatra My Way and Jim Reeves Danny Boy on his piano, next month. The Admiral would have played host to his friends -- cracking jokes, sharing sea-time stories and sipping on his favourite scotch.
But the birthday boy started a new voyage on Sunday – a destination longer than the sea he dated. Orphaned with his demise are three pianos and a 1961 model Austin Cambridge car he brought from England. The driver is no more!
Admiral Dawson who scripted the 'blue water navy' concept so that his men could undertake deep sea missions, was a simple man. He was also responsible for setting up the Karwar Seabird Project (INS Kadamba) in Karnataka and the Indian Naval Academy (INA) at Ezhimala in Kerala. He personally flew over Ezhimala in the late 70s to finalise the land for INA.
His close associate for over 20 years B.G. Koshi, a businessman in Bangalore, shared an interesting story. “While he was the ADC to late President Rajendra Prasad, serving liquor was banned at Rashtrapathi Bhawan. The President's order was to drink milk, instead. The Admiral  wanted a drink and requested the President to allow him to have the milk of human-kind and drove to the naval mess,” recalls Koshi.
He shared a very special relationship with his sister Thelma Dawson. The Admiral was a bachelor and it was mandatory to have a lady as the hostess when he became the CNS. He refused to get married and his sister Thelma Dawson, now 85, was instead given the status of the hostess (First Lady). “He dated the sea and didn't want to get married. He felt that he will be doing a great injustice to the girl, with he being on ship all the time. Sea was his passion. He loved his mother a lot. He was a man full of life. We will miss all his jokes and music,” Thelma told The New Indian Express.
Last birthday, the Admiral expressed doubts of being around to celebrate another one. "We used to fondly call him 'Chief' and he told me that he might not be there next time and offered me another drink. May be he knew that...," says Koshi.
Cheers 'Chief.'
R.I.P.

(Copyright@The New Indian Express)

R.I.P. Admiral Dawson

R.I.P. Admiral Dawson

Former Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dawson passed away in Bangalore on Sunday. He was 87. The cremation is scheduled on October 25 with military honors. Detailed Obit soon.